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G2S Project Code: 2020-HI-85609
State: Hawaii
Fiscal Year: 2020
Grantee
Hawaii State Public Library System

Project Director
Director Name: Stacey A. Aldrich
Director Phone: 18085863704
Director Email: stlib@librarieshawaii.org
General Information
Title: Virtual Program Kits
State Project Code: FY20-5
Start Date: 10/01/2019
End Date: 09/30/2021
Abstract: The COVID-19 pandemic and subsequent temporary closures of Hawaii’s public libraries created unforeseen challenges to providing services to our home-bound patrons. HSPLS staff responded by creating a small suite of virtual programs for all ages that never before existed. The creation of virtual programs also revealed the lack of technical abilities and equipment to provide these online services
State Goal: Innovative Service Development
Budget Information
LSTA
MATCH-State
MATCH-Other
Total
$0.00
$3,987.72
$0.00
$3,987.72
Intent(s)
Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.
Arts, Culture & Humanities
Business & Finance
Activities
Activity Details
Title: Connecting with communities for programs and digital literacy
Narrative:
The primary goal of the Virtual Program Kit project is to connect with our communities by providing patron-driven programs: book clubs; author & illustrator virtual visits; Hawaiian/English book talks; storytime and “HSPLS Creates” craft, cooking and other demonstrations; virtual tours; and topics of interest—digital literacy, health and safety, business start ups, dealing with legal issues, and more. Our aim is to encourage the joy of reading, learning and discovery through a flexible, accessible, self-paced format.
Our secondary goal is to use the kits to broaden and increase technology skills and meet job competencies, especially among staff who are currently less than proficient. Using peer-to-peer training and support, staff in all HSPLS branches were assigned a kit and required to produce content for at least one virtual program every six months. Timely delivery of equipment and services was pushed back due to the COVID-19 pandemic.  Staff completed training resources for the system to begin working effectively with the virtual kits.

Intent: Improve users’ ability to obtain and/or use information resources.

Activity: Content
Mode: Creation
Format: Combined physical & digital


Quantity
Number of items digitized: 0
Number of items digitized and available to the public: 0
Number of physical items: 0
Number of open-source applications/software/systems: 0
Number of proprietary applications/software/systems: 0
Number of learning resources (e.g. toolkits, guides): 0
Number of plans/frameworks: 1


Partner Information
Organization Type of Partner Organization(s):
Libraries: No
Historical Societies or Organizations: No
Museums: No
Archives: No
Cultural Heritage Organization Multi-type: No
Preschools: No
Schools: No
Adult Education: No
Human Service Organizations: No
Other: No


Legal Type of Partner Organization(s):
Federal Government: No
State Government: No
Local Government (excluding school districts): No
School District: No
Non-Profit: No
Private Sector: No
Tribe/Native Hawaiian Organization: No


Beneficiaries
Is the activity directed at the library workforce: No
For a targeted group or for the general population: General


Locale
Is the activity state-wide: Yes
Specific Locations: No
Library Types
Public Libraries: 1
Academic Libraries: 0
SLAA: 0
Consortia: 0
Special Libraries: 0
School Libraries: 0
Other: 0
Project Outcomes
Project Outcomes
List any important outcomes or findings not previously reported:
The need to build virtual programming, including storytimes, outreach, book and craft programs, information about the Hawaii State Public Library System has continued to grow as access to our libraries continues to be impacted by COVID-19. The virtual programming kits are no longer a side project but are instead essential to library staff systemwide in order to start to provide content that the public can access even in times when the physical library may not be fully accessible. https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCekbwI-vtvTnGcwfDsfi2fw
Please briefly describe the importance of these outcomes and findings for future program planning:
Building a library of virtual programs will allow our system to provide for our patrons including those whose user patterns have changed due to the pandemic and instead of attending in-person programs will be able to check out what we offer remotely.
Explain one or two of the most significant lessons learned for others wanting to adopt any facets of this project:
The technological know-how of staff varies greatly. Having instructions and staff available to assist made for a smoother rollout of the kits.
Do you anticipate continuing this project after the current reporting period ends:
Yes
Do you anticipate any change in level of effort in managing this project:
No
Explain:

Do you anticipate changing the types of activities and objectives addressed by the project:
No
Explain:

Was an evaluation conducted for this project:
No
Was a final written evaluation report produced:
No
Can the final written evaluation report be shared publicly on the IMLS website:
No
Was the evaluation conducted by project staff (either SLAA or local library) or by a third-party evaluator:
Third-Party
What data collection tools were used for any report outcomes and outputs:
Did you collect any media for the data:
What types of methods were used to analyze collected data:
Other:
How were participants (or items) selected:
What type of research design did you use to compare the value for any reported output or outcome:
Exemplary: No
Exemplary Narrative
Project Tags: #virtualprogramming